http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/worship-religion/ en-us Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:41 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051117/posts It is finished. I wonder how many of our Catholic friends have heard of the Fourth Lateran Council of 1215? This is the event where many of their important dogmas were codified, including the ideas of Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus, that the Eucharist was the sacrament that only properly ordained priests of the Catholic church could give, and that the Jews were a pariah people, who could hold no public office, had to pay a special Jew tax for their right to exist, and were required to wear special clothing to distinguish them from Christians. The yellow badge marking the... Pharyngula http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051117/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051059/posts Am I Blessed Like This? " Blessed are . . . " —Matthew 5:3-11 When we first read the statements of Jesus, they seem wonderfully simple and unstartling, and they sink unnoticed into our subconscious minds. For instance, the Beatitudes initially seem to be merely soothing and beautiful precepts for overly spiritual and seemingly useless people, but of very little practical use in the rigid, fast-paced workdays of the world in which we live. We soon find, however, that the Beatitudes contain the "dynamite" of the Holy Spirit. And they "explode" when the circumstances of our lives cause them... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051059/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:32:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051018/posts God has recently given us the opportunity to discuss some theological issues with other Christians who believe differently than we do on a number of points, most notably the doctrines of grace. In such a circumstance, given the overwhelming supply of scriptural evidence that comes to bear on the topic, it seemed to me that the best approach would be a simple categorized scripture list: the fact that the entire paper would be scriptures, with the exception of a few brief explanatory notes, would underscore the truth that this is God's own word and teaching; and the fact that it... Monergism.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2051018/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:19:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050992/posts July 25, 2008                                    Feast of Saint James, Apostle       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 12 Cor 4:7-15 Brothers and sisters:We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not abandoned;struck down, but not destroyed;always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.For we who live are constantly being given up to deathfor the sake of Jesus,so that the life of Jesus may be... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050992/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:50:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050960/posts I pierced it with a rusty nail (I hope Jesus's tetanus shots are up to date). And then I simply threw it in the trash, followed by the classic, decorative items of trash cans everywhere, old coffeegrounds and a banana peel. My apologies to those who hoped for more, but the worst I can do is show my unconcerned contempt. By the way, I didn't want to single out just the cracker, so I nailed it to a few ripped-out pages from the Qur'an and The God Delusion. They are just paper. Nothing must be held sacred. Question everything. God... Pharyngula Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050960/posts#comment Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:01:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050761/posts It is no doubt that television is the true American Idol. One commenter on a blog I frequent said it best: if you were to sit down and tally up the amount of time you watch TV and the amount of time you spend in prayer and Bible reading which would be larger? May we step back and assess our lives and realize that idols are everywhere and can so quickly become our god. This video presentation should cause all of us to step back and assess…. soli Deo Gloria http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050761/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 21:00:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050758/posts BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNS) -- When Iraqi youths were not granted visas for World Youth Day in Australia, Iraq's Chaldean Catholic bishops decided they would bring World Youth Day to Iraq. The bishops organized processions, catechesis, the Way of the Cross and Masses in several northern Iraqi cities. More than 6,600 Iraqi youths participated in the alternative World Youth Day. Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk, Iraq, invited Lebanese Capuchin Father Joseph Azzo to travel to Iraq for the July 16-20 gatherings. Father Azzo invited Lebanese singer Abir Nehme to accompany him; both spoke to Catholic News Service when they returned... CNS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050758/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:57:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050744/posts This is a powerful little clip from a sermon by Paul Washer. Its not always easy to remember in the middle of loss or continuous physical pain that these things we endure are not only helping to mold us into the man or woman of God, which is our eternal destiny if we be in Christ, but that they are a testimony to God’s Name and Glory: how? by our steadfast faithfulness to Him through it all…and how the world witnesses this. Even chastisement we receive by the hand of God is a ‘witness’ that we ARE a child of... Sola Dei Gloria http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050744/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:20:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050438/posts His Nature and Our Motives " . . . unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven " —Matthew 5:20 The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in his motives, having been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to place within anyone who would let Him a new heredity that would have a righteousness exceeding that of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus is... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050438/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:36:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050375/posts July 24, 2008                                     Thursday of the Sixteenth Week                                 in Ordinary Time       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 2:1-3, 7-8, 12-13 This word of the LORD came to me:Go, cry out this message for Jerusalem to hear! I remember the devotion of your youth,how you loved me as a bride,Following me in the desert,in a land unsown.Sacred to the LORD was Israel,the first fruits of his harvest;Should any presume to partake of them,evil would befall them, says the LORD. When I brought... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050375/posts#comment Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:48:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050216/posts Yes, the sad little cracker has met its undignified end, so stop pestering me. The cracker, the koran, and another surprise entry have been violated and are gone. You'll have to wait until tomorrow for the details, what little of them there are. Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050216/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:28:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050159/posts A five minute video with a message of God's sovereignty, good for the soul of the saint - convicting for the soul of the spiritually dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEadldYHtUk FBC Briar http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050159/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:38:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050150/posts Religious images seem to have appeared over the years in everything from a sliced potato to 400-year-old granite, and some lucky finds from around the world have sold for thousands of dollars on eBay and reportedly delivered divine messages. One of the latest "discoveries" is a piece of beef at a restaurant in Nigeria that seems to depict the name of the Prophet Muhammad and has diners flocking to see it from miles around. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050150/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:23:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050128/posts Issue: In the 1500s, Protestant Reformers claimed to have divine guidance in attempting to restore the order, truth and unity of the early Christian Church. Does the Bible and other historical evidence support their claim? Response: No. As the Bible and other historical evidence testify, Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church. While some of the Church’s leaders and practices (not doctrines) were in need of reform in the 1500s, the Protestant Reformation erred in rejecting the visible papal authority that God provided to establish and maintain order, truth and unity in His Church (cf. Jn. 17:20-23). In seeking Christ without His... CUF http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2050128/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:39:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049855/posts Sanctification (2) " But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us . . . sanctification . . . " —1 Corinthians 1:30 The Life Side. The mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He "became for [me] . . . sanctification . . . ." Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life.The most wonderful secret of living a holy life does... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049855/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:34:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049801/posts July 23, 2008                                  Wednesday of the Sixteenth Week                                 in Ordinary Time       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 1:1, 4-10 The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah,of a priestly family in Anathoth, in the land of Benjamin. The word of the LORD came to me thus: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I dedicated you,a prophet to the nations I appointed you.“Ah, Lord GOD!” I said,(I know not how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD answered me,Say not, “I am too... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049801/posts#comment Wed, 23 Jul 2008 05:39:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049452/posts "Look at me I have been automatically excommunicated and it is reserved to the Holy See to lift it."The annoying thing about these faux ordinations is that they are hard to parody when they go to so much effort to parody themselves.Come on tie-dye stoles?  Plus exactly what part of the ordination ceremony calls for the above rubric?  The blankets are a pretty tacky detail.  Them seem more fitting to send with your kindergarten kid for nap time.  Seen plenty of pictures of priest being ordained and don't think I ever saw one with them prostrate on a blanket.... Curt Jester http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049452/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:08:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049421/posts "For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst" Matthew 18:20 For some time, through FReepmail, several FReepers have provided each other with a way to share prayer requests and praises. Now that the Non-denominational category has been established at FR, we are offering a weekly thread in which posts of your requests and praises are welcome. Anyone, regardless of denomination, is welcome to bring their concerns here. The one thing that we hope to establish here, is that at a set time on Sunday evening, 11:00 p.m. in the Eastern time... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049421/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:17:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049270/posts Sanctification (1) " This is the will of God, your sanctification. . . " —1 Thessalonians 4:3 The Death Side. In sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. Sanctification requires our coming to the place of death, but many of us spend so much time there that we become morbid. There is always a tremendous battle before sanctification is realized— something within us pushing with resentment against the demands of Christ. When the Holy Spirit begins to show us what sanctification means, the struggle starts immediately. Jesus said,... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049270/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:26:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049223/posts July 22, 2008                                  Memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Mi 7:14-15, 18-20 Shepherd your people with your staff,the flock of your inheritance,That dwells apart in a woodland,in the midst of Carmel.Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,as in the days of old;As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,show us wonderful signs. Who is there like you, the God who removes guiltand pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;Who does not persist in anger forever,but delights rather in clemency,And will... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049223/posts#comment Tue, 22 Jul 2008 05:43:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049031/posts Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - At the beginning of the post conciliar liturgical reform, an idea advanced that the tabernacle was an obstacle to Mass celebrated 'facing the people' despite various instructions which considered it legitimate (cfr “Inter Oecumenici” n. 95 and “Eucharisticum Mysterium” n. 54). Some were saying: Jesus Christ becomes present with the consecration during Mass, to leave Him in the tabernacle would mean giving contrasting signs. This idea, in actual fact, is found in the same Instruction (cfr EM 55) and appeared to be consistent. However what happened was that gradually, the “diverse” or “principal modes of... Agenzia Fides http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2049031/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:28:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048876/posts Arch Diocese Says Women Are 'Excommunicating Themselves' BOSTON -- Three Catholic women were ordained as priests in a Back Bay neighborhood church this weekend, despite the Vatican's admonition that the trio would be excommunicated if they did so.VIDEO: Women Priests Ordained In Boston“The women being ordained today have been called and they are following God’s guidance and direction for their lives,” said Dana Reynolds, a woman from California who became a Catholic bishop in a ceremony in Germany three months ago. “They have said ‘yes’ to God.”NewsCenter 5's Rondella Richardson reported that a congregation of Catholic worshippers, both male and... Boston Channel http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048876/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:37:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048700/posts The Doorway to the Kingdom " Blessed are the poor in spirit . . . " —Matthew 5:3 Beware of thinking of our Lord as only a teacher. If Jesus Christ is only a teacher, then all He can do is frustrate me by setting a standard before me I cannot attain. What is the point of presenting me with such a lofty ideal if I cannot possibly come close to reaching it? I would be happier if I never knew it. What good is there in telling me to be what I can never be— to be "pure... My Utmost for His Highest (The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers;1992) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048700/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:30:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048629/posts July 21, 2008                                     Monday of the Sixteenth Week                                      in Ordinary Time       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Mi 6:1-4, 6-8 Hear what the LORD says:Arise, present your plea before the mountains,and let the hills hear your voice!Hear, O mountains, the plea of the LORD,pay attention, O foundations of the earth!For the LORD has a plea against his people,and he enters into trial with Israel. O my people, what have I done to you,or how have I wearied you? Answer me!For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,from the... USCCB.org/New American Bible http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048629/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:06:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048610/posts Father, we come before You thanking You for every time You use us, another being, an event or occurance to stop even one child from being aborted. Father we praise Your name and rejoice when the TRUTH is told and Your LIGHT shines forth in the darkness! Lord, thank You for bringing the voices of the post-abortives forth to speak Your TRUTH. Bless Dan and Julie Zanoza for sharing their story and their truth with those who will listen or read it. Give them and others the courage to stand up and be heard. May those words go forth to... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2048610/posts#comment Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:58:22 GMT